ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic literature review is to determine the impact of implant length on marginal bone loss in atrophied arches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The systematic search of the literature was carried out using electronic databases PubMed, EbscoHost, Cochrane, as well as a manual search of randomized controlled trials in humans, with a follow-up period of at least 12 months, published between 2005 and 2016, comparing the short implants on the one hand, and the long implants placed in atrophic bone crests having undergone bone augmentation on the other hand. This systematic review followed the guidelines of PRISMA Statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes). The results of the clinical trials were described according to the PICO criteria. The qualitative analysis was conducted by Jadad scale and the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias. RESULTS: Thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in our systematic review. Gradual marginal bone loss (intra-group comparison) was significant regardless of the arcade. The difference in bone loss between short and long implants (inter-group comparison) was not significant in the first year, but became significant at the end of the fifth year regardless of the arcade. CONCLUSION: Despite the satisfactory results in relation to short implants, it is appropriate to extend the duration of RCTs up to 10 years in order to support the data collected in our systematic review.